iPlayer content available on iPads, iPhones and iPod Touch using 3G

Features include a live channel hopping option to allow users to
switch as they would if they were watching a TV; and background
listening to allow users to tune into a live radio station while
they are using their device for other things.

Daniel Danker, BBC's General Manager, Programmes and On Demand,
said in a release announcing the update that it is in response to
usage of BBC iPlayer on mobile doubling over the last year. "This
has been a great year for BBC iPlayer on mobile with over 1.5
million installs on the Apple iPad and 1.2 million installs on
Android devices since launch in February 2011," he said.

Available for free from the App Store for iPod touch or iPhone
3GS and above, the mobile app is also compatible with Apple
AirPlay, which will allow users to connect up to Apple TV. The iPlayer-on-mobile service will remain Wi-Fi only
for older devices.

David Madden, Executive Product Manager for BBC iPlayer on
mobile, added in a blog post that both the updated iPlayer on Mobile app and
the new iPad app benefit from HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) video
infrastructure. This uses adaptive bitrate technologies that
"enable us to detect the strength of your Wi-Fi or 3G connection
and serve the appropriate video quality. If you have low internet
signal strength then the video stream will adapt down to suit your
connection speed; if you move onto a stronger signal then the video
stream will automatically improve in quality. The idea is to give
you the best possible experience wherever you are."

However, some have expressed concerns. On BBC
News, Neil McCartney, a telecoms analyst at McCartney
media, said: "One potential danger is that people are going to run
up unexpectedly high data bills, and the other is the strain that
this is going to put on the system if a lot of people start
streaming in this way." The apps do have data usage warnings but
only time will tell if the 3G network can cope with the demand.